ClueBy
TodayArchiveWord list

Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
YesNo
↻ New worksheet

Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: jam · bore · can · stick · wax · rock · suit · bay

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. wax — to grow
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. bore — to drill
  5. wax — in the ear
  6. rock — music
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. suit — in cards
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. wax — for sculpting
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. bore — to tire
  15. can — a tin
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. rock — a stone
  18. can — a tin
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. suit — to fit
  21. can — to be able to
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. bore — gave birth

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com